Paul, I think it's just that everything is in flux -- Covid shutdowns, Rec.gov becoming more and more in use... I am sure we will see a bunch more changes in the next couple of years.
Actually for me, it was way more convenient to grab the online reservation last week on a Monday morning. I then sent off the email, and INyo staff sent me the permit half an hour later. I printed it, signed it, and started packing. It really saved me that I didn't need to time everything in Lone Pine around going to the Visitor Center to get the permit. Two years ago, I was really angry that SEKI required Inyo to see me face-to-face to pick up my permit. Caused me over two hours delay getting started on a long backpack trip, because I slept at Horseshoe Meadows, then had to drive down, get the permit, then back up to the trail head. So for me, the new way is a big improvement.
Inyo staff tell me that the no-shows are coming online soon after they are declared no-shows, so those should be working pretty well this year.
I'd rather sit at home and call and wait, to get a permit, instead of needing to drive to that one location and stand in line, all the time not knowing whether there were enough no-show slots to go around. I hope you can adjust to their new processes.
